heart surgery

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It was around 8:00 p.m. I was working on a blog post, when my wife read about it on a news website.

“A.R.Rahman’s daughter had surgery – for a congenital heart defect.”

The familiar cold feeling gripped my heart. Fifteen years of fighting this deadly scourge hasn’t yet made me immune against it. I clicked through to Google News and Twitter to learn more.

Thankfully, A.R.Rahman tweeted that his little girl was well on the path to recovery from heart surgery. I breathed a prayer of thanks. At the same time, I couldn’t help but recall some sad facts about congenital heart disease (CHD).

* 7 in 1,000 children are born with some form of heart birth defect
* Many of them need treatment, often surgery, very early in life
* Surgery is very expensive – and 95% of Indian families cannot afford it
* Treated on time, children with CHD have near-normal lives
* Left untreated, they succumb to complications that cripple, or kill

And the statistics, though improving, are still dismal.

• 2,500 children with congenital heart disease die every month

• Almost 1 million kids with CHD are waiting for treatment in India
• 40,000+ children need surgery for CHD in my state of Tamilnadu alone
• Barely 2,000 operations for congenital heart defects are performed in my state each year
• Facilities and expertise to treat complex CHD are very limited
• Research into causes and prevention of CHD is practically non-existent in India

For 15 years now, I have invested time and effort into spreading awareness of congenital heart defects.

And by harnessing the power and reach of the Internet, aided by the support of thousands of people across the world, my message has touched an estimated 3 million people over this time.

With the funds raised through various efforts, my non-profit Dr.Mani Children Heart Foundation has sponsored heart surgery for 70 children from under-privileged families.

And now, at one stroke, Mr.Rahman’s unfortunate encounter with this dreaded health condition will make many times more people aware of the threat CHD poses to millions of our children!

Just as when Sylvester ‘Rocky’ Stallone’s daughter underwent surgery for a ventricular septal defect. That stressful experience led to the Hollywood star making a big contribution to Dr.Hillel Laks’ unit in San Francisco – but more important, it brought an awareness about congenital heart defects to millions of the star’s fans.

Many people think heart disease is something only adults get. And when they become aware of the problem, there is an intense willingness to join in the fight against CHD, and a keen desire to reach out with a helping hand to assist the suffering millions.

I empathize deeply with what A.R.Rahman, the ‘Mozart of Chennai’ is going through, as his little girl recuperates from the ravages of surgery on her ailing heart.

But at the same time, seen from another perspective, this accident of nature may end up touching the lives of millions of others less fortunate than Raheema – and brightening their futures.

Awareness about congenital heart disease may lead to interest in helping those affected by it. And with a large, concerted effort directed at the problem, it is possible to make a significant impact.

I imagine that Mr.Rahman’s feelings aren’t much different than those of my patient’s dad I described here.

Because behind the thin veneer of civilized sophistication that we wear, we are all insecure, frail, vulnerable beings.

And behind the facade of fame and glory, power and wealth, we are uncomfortably aware that the thin, tenuous thread of our physical existence hinges on vagaries of a cruel, uncertain fate.

A fate that is even more poignant and vivid in the lives of those touched by the harsh and unkind spectre of congenital heart disease.

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Links for more information about congenital heart defects:

• Spread Congenital heart defects awareness

• Join a 47 Hearts Group
• The Children Heart Information Network

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